UTI and pre-term labour??

[CherryPie3]

Hi,

bit of background on the subject. I recently got diagnosed with a UTI that was causing minor contractions/period pains/cramps and lower back pains... and was admitted to hospital and given steroids (just in case). The cramps have now eased but the back pains have increased - am taking codeine as and when I dare for pain relief.

This is my 3rd baby, I have also had a pre-term delivery at 35weeks. I saw my mw yesterday to talk through everything that happened and she's basically told me to take it easy because I'm now at a higher risk of going into labour - scary!!!!

I'm 26+1 today.

My mw told me I'd be lucky to go full term, and not to expect to. So I'm aiming for 35 weeks - not sure if she agreed with this being a realistic target really but hey ... I got the impression from her that I'd be back in hospital before long. Bedrest has also been mentioned.

I guess the reason for the post is to find out if any of you have any experience of this. I really don't wanna go into labour just yet!!

I already drinks gallons and gallons of water everyday cos it's one of my cravings, what else can I do to prevent early labour.

Many thanks in advance xxx

hi cherrypie, gosh we must have been seperated at birth!! i too had a baby at 35 weeks (she is now almost 6) and am pregnant again now. I had a UTI at 30 weeks which caused early labour, i had to have the steroids etc just incase but it eventually slowed to a stop but i was left with back pains for a few weeks and needed stronger antibiotics to get rid of the UTI. I chose to start my maternity leave there and then and rested as much as possible, and have now made it to 38 weeks - booked in for a section next week as baby is breach! I never for one moment thought i would make it to term and like you thought 35 weeks would be my best out come. I hope this gives you some hope, just rest as much as possible, every week is a bonus and keep having your wee tested as UTI's can cause back pain. good luck xx

Theres definitely hope then!!!

Thank you for your reply kirstie - I'v been sitting here waiting for contractions to start again, I honestly got the impression that they felt labour was imminent. Every twinge or pain sends me into a panic - not to mention dh. He's completely terrified that baby's gonna come and we're not ready mentally, physically or otherwise.

Phew....

What a relief.

Thank you so much - why can't the mw's just say it like that????

bumping for other stories please, just to relieve my paranoid mind

I will tell my story.

Your MW is talking out of her arse IMO.

Yes there is a chance you may go into premature labour, but there is no real reason you should.

If this is your third then I am assuming that you have had 1 full term baby? If so then I think that there is every chance that you will go to full term. If it helps reassure you I had twins delivered at 26+6 9 years ago (I would have been the equivalent of 31-32weeks with a singleton bump size-wise). I gave birth to my third on this day 4 years ago at 39+5. So one prem does not automatically mean the next will be. I did think I was going to have a second prem when I was having weak contractions every 2-3mins at 24weeks though. Turns out I have an irritable uterus, which I just had to keep an eye on.

Keep your bladder as empty as you can so that you are not irritating your uterus, and keep your fluids as high as you possibly can. This will do 2 things. It will flush through any infection, and if there is anything remotely labourish going on it will dilute the hormones that drive contractions which will help prevent the establishment of labour.

Keep an eye on things. You need to be on ABs for a minimum of 7 days (so if they have only given you 5 days worth get in there and complain). If you think that labour is genuinely starting get down to your labour unit as they can give drugs to stop labour in the early stages.

Actually the back pains - if they are to one side and or worse when you lie down could be asign of a kidney infection so might be worth seeing your GP again.

Thanks YMKM - you're right I have had one full term delivery, my second baby was born at 39+6. Fist at 35+4. The mw's bugged me through the entire 2nd pregnancy as well always saying from 30wks "hope your bags packed - could be any day"

With the anti-biotics - I checked the amount of tablets and they've given me 7days worth anyway, cleared it with the mw on the ward and they said it's fine to finish the box.

Back pains - will definitely keep an eye on them as although the pains are mostly all the way acrossthe bottom of my back, at times they do seem to be more left sided. Does that make sense? The pains themselves seem to be pretty constant to be honest - like waves. If I still had the regular cramping I'd be high tailing it back down to hospital for an examination!! The crampls are still very there but usually only maybe 1 in an hour - so not too worried about that.

Thanks again for your reply.

Do you know if having 1 UTI makes you more prone to another??

Thanks again

No it doesn't as long as it is completely eradicated by the ABs. A lot of GPs tend to make the mistake of only prescibing 5 days for a pg woman with UTI - which I is why I checked that you had 7-10days worth.

If the UTI isn't completely treated it will come back very quickly but you won't be at any greater risk of picking up a completely new infection IYSWIM.

Oh and I probably should have said that I was treated for 1 possibly 2 UTIs in my second pg....which went nowhere as far as prem labour was concerned.

Thats very reassuring to know - thank you